As part of this year’s Combat Archer iteration, the Air Force will integrate the AGR-20 FALCO laser-guided rocket, which is designed to counter unmanned aerial systems.
21 F-16 fighter jets from one of the Air Force’s most storied fighter squadrons are putting their skills to the test in the “Combat Archer” weapons testing exercise this week.
The exercise—also known as the “Weapons Systems Evaluation Program”—is the Pentagon’s largest live-fire evaluation exercise. It aims to provide military commanders with a comprehensive evaluation of squadron operational capabilities and how this could translate into combat value in a potential conflict.
The F-16’s Role in Combat Archer
The 21 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets of the 555th Fighter Squadron are at the center of Combat Archer. The exercise simulates actual combat operations and tests the squadron’s ability to load, launch, and operate its F-16s.
“By simulating real-world engagements, Combat Archer ensures aircrews and maintenance personnel are prepared for actual combat scenarios,” Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, the commanding general of U.S. Air Force Europe-Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), said in a press statement.
“This approach enables a full evaluation of the weapon system from start to finish. It will look at how we store and move weapons. How our munitions professionals build and load them on aircraft. How the jet and its systems perform. How the pilots adhere to procedures,” Heckler added.
Nicknamed “the Triple Nickel,” the 555th Fighter Squadron operates out of Aviano Air Base in Italy. The squadron has a storied legacy with combat service in World War II, the Vietnam War, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. It has received both the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Presidential Unit Citation. For several decades now, the squadron has been flying the F-16.
“Holding the exercise in the European area of responsibility provides significant strategic advantages, reducing the need for transatlantic aircraft movements and resulting in substantial cost savings,” Hecker said.
Russia’s renewed truculence in Eastern Europe has pushed U.S. units on the Continent and NATO member states to reappraise their defensive posture and overall military capabilities. The collapse of the Soviet Union forced NATO into introspection about its identity and future. However, Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 breathed new life into the alliance—and its large-scale assault against its neighbor in 2022 has sent ripples of alarm throughout Europe, underscoring the vital importance of American military readiness on the continent.
The Exercises Help Test New Munitions
Combat Archer is also a good opportunity to test upcoming munitions. As part of this year’s iteration, the Air Force will integrate the AGR-20 FALCO laser-guided rocket, which is designed to counter unmanned aerial systems.
“To examine and validate munitions drop practices, USAFE will utilize a military training range in Wales. These drops allow examiners to identify any weapons issues that can be mitigated later by munitions professionals,” USAFE-AFAFRICA stated.
As militaries continue to invest in and employ unmanned aerial systems in combat, the threat of drones—both on the ground and in the air—has increased.
When the Air Force tests new weapon systems in the United States, it typically uses Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and Hill Air Force Base in Utah because they meet the necessary telemetry requirements to properly test munitions in flight. Using onboard and external sensors, telemetry helps scientists gather data on the internal functioning and performance of a munition or an aircraft.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Joris van Boven.
